Millburn/Short Hills Schools Release Blended Fall Reopening Plan – Millburn, NJ Patch

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Burton released details at Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting for the district’s plan to reopen schools on Sept. 3, taking into account coronavirus precautions. The proposed “blended” plan offers a shorter day for students, combined with some virtual learning, so that only half the students will be in the buildings at a time.

Millburn, one of the state’s most highly ranked districts, is also one of the earliest to release a plan.

The state of New Jersey also said on Monday that all parents must get the option of remote learning as well, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the country. More than 140,000 Americans have died of coronavirus in four months.

Here are highlights of the Millburn plan:

For elementary school students:

  • They’ll attend school five days a week, for 2.5 hours with no lunch or recess.
  • Some will go in mornings, some in afternoons, and siblings will be on the same schedule.
  • They’ll receive math and language lessons during that time.
  • The students will also receive 1.5 hours of virtual learning in a special subject including art, physical education, and music.

For the middle and high school students:

  • Students will be in the buildings for five hours a day on certain days.
  • When not in school, they’ll receive education at home, livestreamed.
  • There will be no lunch, but there will be a snack break.

Regarding precautions and breaks, for everyone:

  • Everyone will wear a mask.
  • Buildings will undergo a “thorough cleaning” each day.
  • No visitors — just faculty, staff and students.
  • Social distancing. (Some educators, like Cranford’s superintendent, have planned for the possibility that distance may be lowered from 6 to 3 feet, but it’s also possible in-person learning could be put on hold.)
  • Time for mask “breaks,” snacks, and handwashing.

Daily screenings:

  • District is still developing how to conduct daily screenings for symptoms
  • Contract tracing also in development

Superintendent Christine Burton said a finalized plan will be communicated at the Aug. 10 special board meeting, and at an Aug. 24 Town Hall.

Last week, nearby Cranford made the news when it released its fall school plan that includes a variety of provisions, including older students attending school in person two to three days per week and younger kids having daily half days. (Read more.)

Many districts are also allowing parents to continue with distance learning if they desire.

Difficult busing situation

Burton had previously said in a Friday email that she wanted to make parents aware of one decision that’s already been made: because of rules about social distancing on buses, subscription busing is canceled for fall for the time being (Westfield made a similar announcement last week).

“I do want to alert you that the Board and District have concluded that we will not be able to provide subscription busing in the fall. We will only be providing busing to students who are mandated to receive transportation by living more than 2 miles (K-8) or 2.5 miles (HS) from school. As the district must schedule busing for the fall based on social distancing requirements of one child per seat, or approximately 22 students on a 54 passenger bus, it will not be possible to transport all students who would want Subscription Busing. We understand this will have an impact on families who had planned to use Subscription Busing for your children. We want to give you this information now, so that you can begin making plans for walking or carpooling with neighbors, family, and friends in order to get your children to school in the fall.”

The issue will be revisited in January, she said.

More on Monday’s meeting

Here is the Agenda from Monday’s meeting. The presentation is posted in the handouts folder.

Video of the presentation will be posted some time after the meeting on the district website.

Watch Patch for more Millburn school news.

How to prepare

In her Friday email, Burton gave some suggestions for preparing to return to school:

● Purchase a thermometer in order to take your child(ren)’s daily temperature.
● Purchase several well fitted, comfortable, washable cloth face masks. Your child will need a clean face mask daily, and an extra in their backpack.
● Develop “mask endurance” — start training your child now to wear their masks for extended periods of time. We all know that this can be uncomfortable and annoying. However, it is also one of the most important steps we can take for everyone’s safety. The more you and your child wear their masks, the more comfortable they will be wearing them for extended periods.
● Purchase any personal supplies of alcohol based hand sanitizer and/or disinfectant wipes that your child can carry to school.
● Purchase any other items that will help your child feel safe and comfortable returning to school.
● Talk to your child about good health and safety routines, but also emphasize a positive message. People who wear masks and follow other guidelines like social distancing and handwashing are making themselves and those around them safer. Try to balance the seriousness of the message with the idea that they are also safe.

Related Millburn school and coronavirus updates:

  • Millburn schools reopen on Sept. 3. Download the calendar here.
  • Individuals interested in running for the Millburn Township Board of Education must declare their candidacy by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 27. The general election will be held Nov. 3. Candidates must file a nominating petition with the Essex County Clerk with at least 10 signatures, one of which must be the candidate’s.
  • Here are recent coronavirus updates, statistics, and where to get tested in Millburn.

On Monday Gov. Phil Murphy revealed 177 more coronavirus cases and nine confirmed deaths from the day before. The number of cases rose to 176,963 in New Jersey and 13,741 confirmed deaths. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here’s What You Need To Know

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